External Relations Officer, P3

Job Opening number: 19-Public Information-UNISDR-109186-R-CAIRO (X)

Org. Setting and Reporting

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNISDR has over 100 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNISDR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyses action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with U.N. Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community.

The position is located in the UNISDR Regional Office for Arab States (RAOS) in Cairo. The incumbents reports to the Chief of the Regional office.

Responsibilities

Under the direction and supervision of the Chief of the Regional Office, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

Contributes to the development and implementation of effective communications, outreach, branding and other resource mobilization mechanisms and tools to enhance the visibility of UNISDR in the region, in close collaboration with counterparts in the Communication and Advocacy Section. Participates in the planning, development and implementation of communication and advocacy campaigns at the regional level; where appropriate, works with partners in the regions, including UN departments, funds and agencies to develop ways to implement campaigns system-wide and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products.  Contributes, when appropriate, to UNISDR press releases, newsletters, periodicals, reports and publications. Builds information networks at the regional level; Contributes to publications programme; participates in the production of materials for print/electronic/voice/visual media.

Provides substantive inputs for the development of strategic partnerships with key constituencies at the regional level to solicit support for and maximize impact of communication and advocacy objectives; Upon delegation from the Chief of the Regional Office, serves as a liaison to media organizations, governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, international organizations, as required.

Under the guidance of the Chief of the Regional Office, and in collaboration with the Chief, Resource Mobilization Section in Geneva, contribute to the effective management of donor relationships in the region ensures coordinated regular contact with donors based in the region; facilitates the promotion of cooperation agreement strategies and operational alliances with donors in the region. Ensures ongoing analysis of resource mobilization needs and opportunities; stays abreast of latest donor and funding trends; Under the supervision of the Chief of the Regional Office and the guidance of the Chief, Resources Mobilization Section, drafts funding proposals to donors as appropriate; ensures effective follow-up; and ensures timely and quality reporting to the donors, as required.

Upon request from the Chief of the Regional Office, represents UNISDR at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on resource mobilization and related partnership initiatives/issues, fulfills speaking engagements and makes presentations to groups on UNISDR activities and advocate issues of concern: organizes media coverage and arranges for media contacts, briefings, and interviews; organizes seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning the organization.

May perform other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism:

• Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies and programmes, e.g. campaign management, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting;
• Ability to establish and foster successful partnerships and collaborations;
• Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources;
• Ability to identify public affairs issues, opportunities and risks in an international environment;
• Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships;
• Knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities/issues;
• Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style;
• Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences;
• Shows pride in work and in achievements;
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations;
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication:

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately
• Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

Planning and Organising:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
• Uses time efficiently

Creativity:

• Actively seeks to improve programmes or services
• Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs
• Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas
• Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box"
• Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things
• Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in resource mobilization, partnerships building, public information, communication, advocacy campaigns or related area is required. Experience in fundraising is required, preferably for a minimum of two years. Experience in social media is desirable. Experience in advocacy campaigns within the United Nations System is desirable, preferably for at least two years. Experience in managing the communication element of major international events/conferences is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required; knowledge of French is desirable; knowledge of Arabic is also desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.